Dangerous Fraser Island dingoes should be moved to sanctuary, not euthanased, advocate says

Fraser Island dingoes that have threatened humans and are destined to be put down should be allowed to live at Queensland's only sanctuary for the animals, a wildlife park owner says.

Passionate dingo advocate and former farmer Simon Stretton is calling on the State Government to spare those dingoes and move them to his Durong Dingo Sanctuary, south-west of Maryborough in the state's South Burnett.

More than 50 threatening incidents involving dingoes were recorded on Fraser Island in 2016 and wildlife rangers must often put down animals that pose a threat.

The species are protected on Fraser Island, but on mainland Australia they are considered pests, responsible for the destruction of sheep and cattle herds.

The Durong sanctuary is home to dozens of pure and crossbred dingoes and is open to tourists who want a close experience with the Australian icon.

But the idea does have backing from South Burnett Mayor Keith Campbell, who said Mr Stretton's sanctuary could become a bigger tourist attraction.

"He loves nothing more than to show and [talk] about dingoes because he has an absolute connection with them," he said.

"Provided the dingoes can be safely housed and they don't represent a threat to the neighbouring areas, personally I can't see a reason why it shouldn't be supported."

High-risk dingoes should be euthanased, authorities say

However, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service said dingoes that had become aggressive or threatening to humans had learnt it made them dominant against people.

They said the animal then knew it could take food from humans.

"This behaviour cannot be changed and the dingo will remain a high risk no matter where it is relocated to," a spokesperson said.

"Dingoes on Fraser Island are wild predatory animals that roam freely over most of the island.

"Previous experience has shown that such animals are subject to unacceptable levels of stress when taken into captivity, and can become a risk to themselves and to other animals, to people caring for them, and to other people such as visitors to the facilities where they are kept.

"It is more humane to euthanase known high-risk dingoes than subject them to ongoing hardship and eventual euthanasia at a later date."